Sitz bath



Aug- 2, 1955 F. o. REED 2,714,212

srTz BATH Filed Deo. 24, 1952 ATTORNEY United States Patent SITZ BATH Flossie 0. Reed, Dansville, N. Y.

Application December 24, 1952, Serial No. 327,710

4 claims'. (c1. 4 6) The present invention relates to sitz baths and particuuarly to a portable sitz bathfor use by and treatment of a patient in bed.

Bed-ridden patients, particularly elderly bed-ridden patients, are likely to develop bed sores.

One object of the present invention is to provide a portable sitz bath that can be readily used in a bed so that, when a bed-ridden patient develops a bed sore, the sore can readily be immersed for treatment in either plain or medicated water of any desired temperature over prolonged periods of time, if required, `without discomfort to the patient. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a sitz bath that can be used in any type of hydrotherapeutic treatment of the `sacroiliac region of` the human body.

Another object of the invention is` to provide a sitz bath that can readily be emptied or filled with water or any other liquid for treatment of a patient, and that even when filled with the liquid will be light enough in weight to be readily carried by a nurse or other sickroom attendant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable sitz 1oath that will vbe comfortable tothe userand that will yield readily to the weight of the patients body and that will readily adapt itself to fit the body contour of the patient.

Still other objects ofthe invention are to provide a portable sitz bath that can readily be sterilized before and afteruse, that will be sturdy, and that will have long life.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a plan view of a sitz bath constructed 'ac--V cording to one embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through this bath taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the bath taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l looking in ythe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a section on -the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 in the direction ofthe arrows; i

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows; y .Y

Fig. 8 isa plan View of None of the `auxiliary cushions that may be used' inthe bath, two 'such cushions being' shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 9 is a transverse section through this cushion, on an enlarged scale taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The device of the present invention ocmprises a base plate made of aluminum, plastic or any other suitable strong, light-weight material, which is flat but otherof Fig. 1, looking sterilization.-

2,714,212 Patented Aug. 2, 1955 ICC wise of an irregular shape, narrowing from an intermediate point somewhat toward the rear and narrowing sharply from this intermediate point toward the front, as clearly shown in the plan View of Fig. 1. This plate is formed with an integral, upwardly-projecting ilange portion 21 at its front end as shown in Fig. 2. Soldered, or otherwise secured to the top face of the plate 20 is a tubular member 22 which may be made of aluminum,v plastic, hard rubber, or any other suitable material whichV This tubular member has a generalV is light in weight. horseshoe or horse collar shape in plan, and is rolled over at both ends to eliminate sharp edges. It is flatted at its base, as denoted at 23 (Fig. 5), where it is secured to the plate 20. The ends of the tube 22 are soldered or otherwise fastened to the ends of the flange portion 21 of the plate 20.

The tube 22 is covered by resilient material 25, such as sponge rubber. The resilient material 25 is shaped to provide a yieldable protective covering for the tube 22 so as to cushion any part of the body which rests thereon; and it is also so shaped that a rounded groove 29 is provided adjacent the base of the bath which extends about `threefourths of the way around the basin or well 30. This groove terminates on one side just back of a drainage tube 35, which will be referred to hereinafter; and on its other side at the diametrically aligned point. This groove provides a space for the water or other liquid medication in the bath so that the liquid can reach the sides of the body of the patient in his or her sacroiliac region. It also protects the patients body, at .those particular parts of the body where treatment is needed, from Contact with the sides `of the device. In the case of large persons, in particular, the healing liquid in this space will apply extra pressure where most needed at the base and sides of the sacroilac region. This is especially important in the treatment of decubitus (bedsore).

.The plate 20 and the resilient material 25 are covered by an outside protective coating made of impervious rubber or any other material which will stand the high temperatures of sterilizing water and steam, and/orv other conditions to which the bath may be subjected for The outside coating material covers the whole'of the device, including both sides of the base plate 20 and the sponge rubber cushion 25.

The covered tubing 22 and the flange 21 enclose a basin or well 30 that can be llled with water, plain or medicated, for treatment of bed sores, and other ills of the sacroiliac region of the body, as pointed out above, the width and length of the well or basin formed being sutlicient to immerse therein the portion of the body,

which is to be treated. ln one embodiment, the device is made with an over-all length of 231/2 inches and an overy all width of 201/2 inches.

Thepatient to be treated ordinarily lies ilat in the bed fora sitz bath treatment with the device of the present invention; and a pillow can be placed under the back of the person for comfort, if desired. The patient ordinarily is positioned with the portion of his or her sacroiliac region, that is to be treated, in the bath before the -water or other medicament is poured in the bath. Varying amounts of liquids are required for treating patients. of diferent Sizes, and `having different parts of their sacroiliac region that are to be treated. ByVv placing th patients sacroiliac region inthe empty bath first, `andthen pouring in the water or other medicating liq-g,A uid, the desired amount of liquid can be obtained for the treament without danger that it will slop or run over. The water or medicament for the treatment can be poured into the basin or well 3? at the narrow neck portion or channel 31. After the treatment is completed, the device can be picked up by a nurse or other attendarrears ant and carried to a tub or other point where the water can be dumped' out at the neck portion or channel 31 (Fig. 1) of the well, or, if desired, the Water can be drained out of the basin or well through a tube 35 (Fig. 7'). The neck portion or channel 31 of the Well lies between the two ends of the tube 22 adjacent flange 21;` and since ange 21 is not covered by sponge, rubber, neck portion 31 helps in pouring water out of the well 30 without spilling. The tube 35 is inserted transversely in-,the tube y22 near one front end thereof. This drain tube 35V is normally closed by a rubber plug 36 when the device is.use. A, piece of ilexible rubber tubing 37' may be con.- nected to the outer end ofthe tube 35 to serve asa drain hose.. It may be of a length to. reach a tub or other receptacle into which the water is to be. discharged'. A manually operable clamp or shut-off valve of conventional form may be provided on hose 3'7. to open it or shut it off' at will. The tube 35 may be made of any proper material such as stainless steel. If the bath is tQ be. emptied through the front channel 31. the. plug, 36 should be inserted in tube 35. before the patient is placed in the bath and before lling the bath with the treating liquid. If the bath is. to. be drained through the tube 35, the. plug 3.6 should' be removed before. the. patient is placed in the. bath and before filling the bath with the treating, liquid. The clamp. or shut-off valvel (not shown) will prevent escape of the liquid during use. of the bath, although as an extra precaution against leakage the. plug 36 mightV be put in the outer end of the hose 37 if desited'.

After use, the d'evice can be lifted and placed in a sterilizer for sterilizing.

The narrowing of the bath toward its front is primarily for the comfort of thepatient. This portion comes under the upper part of the legs of a recumbent. person; and the patient can therefore, readily spread his or herI legs apart while lying in the bath without interference with or fromV the bath. The narrowing of the bath toward its front also makes it easier to empty the bath` through channel 31.

For children or other small size patients, removable kidney-shaped pads or cushions 40 (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) of rubber or other resilient material are supplied. These can. be placed on the base plate 20. in different positions to suit the comfort of the patient.

The sitz bath of the present invention is convenientto use because it is portable. It is comfortable to a patient because of its sponge rubber cushions and: shape. It can be used in hydrotherapeutic treatment of the sacroiliac regions of the human body. for prevention or cure of decubitus (bed sore), by mmersion in any temperature of water desired, plain or medicated, and over prolonged periods, if. needed. It. can be used for hot or warm fomentations. With. .it dressings can be kept at any desired temperature i'n.- definitely by the drip and drain method, drip from an elevated container, and drain from drainage tube with.-v out moving the patient.. It can beA used for treatment of sacroiliac strain, for treatment of' dermatitis infections, for genecological treatments, for deliveries and postdeliveryV treatments, for rectal operations, for anal fissure treatments, for treatment of hemorrhoids, for cists and carbuncles, and by inserting a container it is useful for; treatment of an incontinent person, etc;

While the invention has been describedv in connection. with a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it isY capable of further modiiication, and this application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of theinvention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the It can be used f 4 present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as fall within the scope ofthe invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A portable sitz bath comprising a vessel having a rigid base portion, a rigid front wall secured to the base portion and projecting upwardly at the front of said base portion, a rigid generally horseshoe-shaped member secured on top of said base portion and having its open end adjacent said front wall and enclosing with said front, wall a central well,l said horseshoe-shaped member being padded at l'east on its top and inside, the padding on the inside extendingalbng a. smooth curve from top to bottom down approximately to the juncture of said horseshoe-shaped member with said base member and the padding being recessed on its inside adjacent said base member around the major portion of the. well, and said base portion,I padded horseshoershaped. member, and

front 'wall being covered with water-proof, heat-resistant.

material..

2: A portable sitz bath comprisingv a rigid base mem.- ber an. lipstanding. member secured at the. front of said base member, a rigid, generally horseshoe-shaped tubu.- lar. member secured. ontop of saidbase. member and having its., front ends. spaced' apart and. terminating adjacent to said. upstanding member and connected to both lateral. edges to said tubular member and forming with sai'd upstandng member a central well, said tubular memberl being, padded at least on its top and on its inside, the. padding on the. inside. extending along a smooth curve from. top. to bottom down approximately to the juncture of. said tubular member with said base member, and the. padding beingrecessedon its. inside adjacent said base, member around. the major portion of the well.

3,. A portablefsitz. bath comprising a at rigid base member, having anA integral, upwardly-projecting flange at its front end, a rigid, generally horseshoe-shaped tubular member secured on top. of said. base member and having its. front ends. spaced. apart and. terminating adjacent to but. at they rear of said upstanding member and form.- in'g, with said. base. member and. said` ange a central well which has'at its front end a narrow neck portion, said tubular member beingl padded. on its top and. sides on bothv its outside, and inside, and said paddedtubular. member,A basemernber,x andangebeing coveredwith a waterproof, heat-resistant covering.

4., A portable sitz'. bath comprising a at4 rigid base memberv having an integral, upwardly-projecting iiangeV at its front end, a rigid, generally horseshoe-shaped tubular Y References' @ited i'n-y thele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS' 460,288 Smith Sept. 29., 1891 1,924,204 Young Aug. 29, 193.3 2,116,560 Chambers May 10, 1938 2,188,844 Pedersen; Ian. 30, 1940 2,466,142 Yost Apr. 5, 1949 2,503,284 Mason Apr. 11, 1950 

